§ VISCOUNT GREY OF FALLODONMy Lords, I observe that a statement was made yesterday by the Prime Minister in another place that he hoped to be in a position to make a statement on behalf of the Government next Thursday on foreign affairs, especially in connection with the occupation of the Ruhr, and I should like to ask the noble Marquess the Deputy Leader of the House whether we may anticipate that the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be in a position to make a statement in this House on Thursday next on that subject.
§ THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, the noble Viscount has most correctly recited what occurred in another place and it is a fact that my noble friend the Foreign Secretary hopes to make a statement upon the Ruhr in your Lordships' House on Thursday.
§ VISCOUNT GREY OF FALLODONIf that be the case may I ask further whether the noble Marquess can give us any indication as to how far it will be possible for a debate to take place on the statement which will be made by the noble Marquess? I do not, of course, suggest that the decision as to a debate would be quite definite until we have heard what the noble Marquess has to say, but I should like to know if it will be possible for a debate to take place.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYIf the statement is made on Thursday it will be made, as is usual in your Lordships' House, just before public business in answer to a private notice Question. I think that probably the noble Viscount will feel that this would not be a very convenient opportunity for a debate. Discussion upon a private notice 851 Question has hardly ever in my experience taken place in your Lordships' House. Should the noble Viscount wish to have a debate he has, of course, only to say so and arrangements will be made, but I would venture to suggest to him that he might find it convenient to wait until he has heard my noble friend's statement on Thursday before determining whether he would like to raise a debate.